How to Respond to Racism Faced Daily at School

Hitting back with rage would likely be the most tempting emotions at such instances. But that would be the worst decision on your part.

I am sorry to hear you have to go through this regularly. And I can only hope this stop soon.

As for what you should do, it depends on the extent of racism you experience and does that put you at risk physically. Here’s how to deal with it:

If it’s casual and unconscious attempts from your own friends, you can calmly express them about how you feel about it and ask them to stop. If they are really your friends, they will take this seriously and stop. If they don’t, start ignoring them and prepare to change your friends circle. Make sure that your parents know about this situation. Be very honest with them.

If it’s coming from bullies at your school, there are few things you can do. You can ignore them and continue with your work. But if it’s going beyond a level that you cannot ignore it, talk to your teachers, principals and parents; don’t talk to the bullies directly, it might make things worse for you. A formal complain to the top level in the school from your parents would be adequate. If bullies don’t stop, they will be expelled. This threat will eventually stop them from being a di*k to you.

If it’s coming from any of your teachers, talk to principals and parents. The teacher will be expelled. Easy.

Tackling racists could be quite difficult. Even more in schools where students have so many other insecurities! It is important that you think things through before acting. You must always keep your parents informed.

As a student, I attended high school in an affluent suburb. Most of my peers in high school were White and the rest were Asian so my high school wasn’t really diverse. The student body definitely leaned towards the liberal side so I didn’t experience any blatant instances of racism. Racism here was more implicit and subtle. Most of the time, racism manifested itself in stereotypes. My classmates expected to excel in math because of my Asian heritage (I did do well math, but that was because I worked my ***** in math ever since I was young child). I recall having friends say, “You’re a classic Asian” whenever they saw my exam scores for math. I didn’t really mind, but it was annoying at times.

Experiencing racism at school every day is painful and unfair. It’s important to prioritize your safety and well-being. Document incidents carefully, speak up calmly if possible, and report them to teachers, counselors, or school administrators. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family, and seek professional help if needed. Remember, you are not alone, and no one deserves to be treated this way. Taking care of your mental health is essential.